Save Vaping in NJ
Donation protected
THE ISSUE
What's happening?
This is an existential crisis for vaping in New Jersey. Vaping is under assault from the government in the most densely populated state in the country. New Jersey is home to hundreds of thousands of vapers as well as vape retailers, vape distributors and one of the largest e-Liquid flavoring manufacturers in the world.
Here's what we're fighting.
1. The newly elected Democratic Governor Phil Murphy has proposed a 75% tax on vaping for the Fiscal Year 2019 budget. A 75% tax is effectively a prohibition that would devastate vape shops as well as have a huge impact on manufacturers that sell their products into New Jersey. A 40% tax that was implemented in neighboring Pennsylvania was the end of dozens of vape shops overnight. We're trying to prevent that from happening in NJ.
2. Similar to what just happened in San Francisco, New Jersey also has an e-Liquid flavor ban on the table. This is a recurring issue that has already been effectively defeated twice. With the election of the new Governor, it is an issue yet again.
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Who will be hurt if the government is successful in their efforts?
1. Vapers who are trying to quit smoking cigarettes. Prices would rise dramatically, reducing one of the key selling points of vaping as an alternative to expensive cigarettes. A flavor ban would also hurt vapers since flavors are one the key drivers to keeping people from returning to regular cigarettes.
2. Vape retailers who would see a dramatic decline in sales as prices were forced higher by the tax that they would pay. Online retailers wouldn't be subject to the same tax and would become instantly more attractive to vapers who quit cigarettes at regular brick and mortar small businesses. This tax would cause a significant amount of retailers to close their businesses.
3. Manufacturers and distributors who will be effected by the decline in vape sales in New Jersey. On the tax front, after the initial dust from all of the retailers that would be forced to close settles, the administrative nightmare of monitoring sales into NJ, collecting and remitting the tax will set in. If the flavor ban passes, almost no manufactured e-Liquid will be sold into the state.
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THE MONEY
What will the funds be used for exactly?
All raised funds will be given to the New Jersey Vapor Rights Coalition (NJVRC) to help fund the ongoing fight. The NJVRC employs and pays for lobbyists and a law firm who work year round to protect vaping in NJ. This emergency fund raising campaign will help to bolster efforts so these immediate and extraordinary threats to vaping can be dealt with.
Depending on how much is raised, a public information campaign may be financed to get the word out about how vaping saves lives. A full time employee to manage the organization may also be hired.
Where did we come up with this odd dollar amount?
Our goal is to raise at least $150,000. This initial amount takes into account the fees (7.9%) that GoFundMe takes so that we end up with at least $150,000. Hopefully more!
Who I Am: Danish Iqbal, President, NJVRC
Where I'm From: New Jersey
My relationship to the NJVRC: I am the President
How the funds will be used: To pay for legal and other advocacy to fight proposed taxes on the vape industry in New Jersey. We have 2 people on payroll to help with Governmental Affairs and Legal Work.
The funds will be withdrawn into the organization's bank account.
______________________________________________________________________________
Who can you contact to verify this campaign is legit?
Kristy Hartman (NJVRC Treasurer): [email redacted]
Edward Albowicz (NJVRC Attorney): [email redacted]
______________________________________________________________________________
Reference Links
New Jersey Vapor Rights Coalition
Tax em' if you've got em'? Phil Murphy wants levy on e-cigarettes
Gov. Murphy is proposing a MASSIVE tax on vaping starting in FY 2019
New York & New Jersey: Terrible Vaping Laws Proposed
_______________________________________________________________________________
Thanks to all of our industry supporters!
What's happening?
This is an existential crisis for vaping in New Jersey. Vaping is under assault from the government in the most densely populated state in the country. New Jersey is home to hundreds of thousands of vapers as well as vape retailers, vape distributors and one of the largest e-Liquid flavoring manufacturers in the world.
Here's what we're fighting.
1. The newly elected Democratic Governor Phil Murphy has proposed a 75% tax on vaping for the Fiscal Year 2019 budget. A 75% tax is effectively a prohibition that would devastate vape shops as well as have a huge impact on manufacturers that sell their products into New Jersey. A 40% tax that was implemented in neighboring Pennsylvania was the end of dozens of vape shops overnight. We're trying to prevent that from happening in NJ.
2. Similar to what just happened in San Francisco, New Jersey also has an e-Liquid flavor ban on the table. This is a recurring issue that has already been effectively defeated twice. With the election of the new Governor, it is an issue yet again.
______________________________________________________________________________
Who will be hurt if the government is successful in their efforts?
1. Vapers who are trying to quit smoking cigarettes. Prices would rise dramatically, reducing one of the key selling points of vaping as an alternative to expensive cigarettes. A flavor ban would also hurt vapers since flavors are one the key drivers to keeping people from returning to regular cigarettes.
2. Vape retailers who would see a dramatic decline in sales as prices were forced higher by the tax that they would pay. Online retailers wouldn't be subject to the same tax and would become instantly more attractive to vapers who quit cigarettes at regular brick and mortar small businesses. This tax would cause a significant amount of retailers to close their businesses.
3. Manufacturers and distributors who will be effected by the decline in vape sales in New Jersey. On the tax front, after the initial dust from all of the retailers that would be forced to close settles, the administrative nightmare of monitoring sales into NJ, collecting and remitting the tax will set in. If the flavor ban passes, almost no manufactured e-Liquid will be sold into the state.
______________________________________________________________________________
THE MONEY
What will the funds be used for exactly?
All raised funds will be given to the New Jersey Vapor Rights Coalition (NJVRC) to help fund the ongoing fight. The NJVRC employs and pays for lobbyists and a law firm who work year round to protect vaping in NJ. This emergency fund raising campaign will help to bolster efforts so these immediate and extraordinary threats to vaping can be dealt with.
Depending on how much is raised, a public information campaign may be financed to get the word out about how vaping saves lives. A full time employee to manage the organization may also be hired.
Where did we come up with this odd dollar amount?
Our goal is to raise at least $150,000. This initial amount takes into account the fees (7.9%) that GoFundMe takes so that we end up with at least $150,000. Hopefully more!
Who I Am: Danish Iqbal, President, NJVRC
Where I'm From: New Jersey
My relationship to the NJVRC: I am the President
How the funds will be used: To pay for legal and other advocacy to fight proposed taxes on the vape industry in New Jersey. We have 2 people on payroll to help with Governmental Affairs and Legal Work.
The funds will be withdrawn into the organization's bank account.
______________________________________________________________________________
Who can you contact to verify this campaign is legit?
Kristy Hartman (NJVRC Treasurer): [email redacted]
Edward Albowicz (NJVRC Attorney): [email redacted]
______________________________________________________________________________
Reference Links
New Jersey Vapor Rights Coalition
Tax em' if you've got em'? Phil Murphy wants levy on e-cigarettes
Gov. Murphy is proposing a MASSIVE tax on vaping starting in FY 2019
New York & New Jersey: Terrible Vaping Laws Proposed
_______________________________________________________________________________
Thanks to all of our industry supporters!
Organizer
Danish Iqbal
Organizer
West Caldwell, NJ